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For Teens

"Rape? That could never happen to me."Chances are you’ve heard that line before. But you know what? Chances are it could happen to you. In fact, 67 percent of rape victims are under the age of 18.1 How’s that for reality? And rape isn’t the only form of sexual violence. Sexual harassment, which is unwanted verbal comments, physical touching, or sexual advances, is also a problem for teens. Four out of five teenagers, boys and girls alike, reported being sexually harassed to the point that it intrudes on their daily lives.2

All too often people think of rape and sexual harassment as an issue for adults. Unfortunately, you might know all too well how untrue that is. Teens are in just as much danger as adults of becoming victims of rape. What is really scary is that teens 16 to 19 years old are 3.5 times more likely to be the victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault than anyone else in our country3. Twenty-three percent of those who commit these acts are under the age of 184, which goes to show that teens are both the victims and the perpetrators... so it really is an issue for teens. (To read the rest of this article, and to find out more about sexual assault, click here.)

Get Involved!So, now we know that sexual violence is a major issue for youth. What’s next? Well, we also believe that youth can and must be a major part of the efforts to prevent sexual violence from happening. Research and common sense have shown us that students would often prefer to talk to their peers about sexual violence rather than to adults. If you are committed to finding your voice, protecting those who mean the most to you, and ending sexual violence, click to find out more about the Students Taking Action for Respect (STAR) program.

Stories Of Violence and HealingA collection of stories and statements from
Texas teen survivors of sexual violence, and the family and friends who support them.The summer before my sophomore year, I was going to my friend’s deer lease for the weekend. We expected it to be a really fun weekend. Saturday morning, my friend and I decided we were going to tube down the river. We met a group of college kids on the shuttle, and we decided to float down the river with them. They were all drinking, and eventually, me, my friend, and one of the college kids separated from the rest of the group. The last thing I remember is asking someone for something else to drink like a coke. The next thing I knew, I woke up and this guy I hadn’t even spoken to before was raping me. When I finally got away, this guy and his friend started laughing at me as I tried to run away and tripped on the rocks in the water.

Get HelpIf you or someone you know has been a victim of rape or sexual assault, you can and should seek help. There are many places across the community who help survivors in many ways. Here are just a few hotline numbers that will be helpful for you.

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network 1-800-656-4673

Provides support 24/7 for victims

Gives advice, guidance, and someone to listen to survivors, family, and friends

TexasAdvocacy Project Legal Hotline 1-800-374-4673

Provides legal advice and support for survivors

Gives survivors a chance to speak to an attorney about their legal needs

National Dating Violence/Abuse Hotline 1-800-799-7233

Available 24/7

Gives survivors someone to talk to about what they have experienced and what needs they have

Provides resources and other supportive information for survivors, family, and friends

In
Texas , click to find the contact information for the Rape Crisis Center nearest to you.